If 30 really is the new21, then Book of Ages: 30 should relieve theanxiety of thirtysomethings who wonder why theyhaven’t yet won that Pulitzer. Chock-full ofpotentially useful facts (on Mars, you’d be just16!), the thin tome is the first in a series devotedto age-related minutiae (next up: 40). AuthorsLockhart Steele and Joshua Albertson (their thirdco-writer was busy dealing with a “hedgehogsituation”) sat down to discuss firearms,virginity, and personal debt. So, are you guys actually 30?
Lockhart Steele: I turn 30 in January.
Joshua Albertson: I turn 29 in two weeks.So young! What makes you experts on30?
L.S.: I think the bottom line is, people shouldnot trust us. There’s a lot of crazy data outthere in this world.Such as?
J.A.: Forty-five percent of 30-year-olds own afirearm.
L.S.: One in 25 women turning 30 is a virgin.What are your sources? These numbers soundsketchy.
J.A.: They’re all totally nonsketchy. Wedid research on the Internet.Who was the most successful30-year-old?
J.A.: On a purely financial level, Bill Gates.
L.S.: Microsoft IPO’d when he was 30.Creatively, you’ve gotta give some props toOrson Welles.What about the average 30-year-old?
L.S.: The average 30-year-old has $19,100 indebt. I think if you’re doing better than that,it’s something to feel good about.Is 30 in New York different?
L.S.: One of the stats is that 30-year-olds area pretty content lot. All of my friends in New Yorkare heading up on 30. I’m not sure content isthe word I’d use.